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Figures show gains in aggregate and average whilst median holds fast 

Book 1 of the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale concluded on Saturday night with 777 of the 884 lots offered sold for $197,240,000 at a clearance rate of 88 per cent. 

The aggregate was up ten per cent from the 2020 figure of $178,932,000 with seven per cent more horses sold this year compared to the 724 lots sold during the 2020 sale. This year’s average of $253,848 was up three per cent compared to $247,144 a year ago. The median remained at $180,000. 

A total of 12 lots sold for seven figures this year, two more than a year ago. 

“It’s overwhelming,” Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said. “It’s special what we’ve achieved.

“To work as we’ve done in the last six months to put this catalogue together, and then to have the restrictions and the roadblocks put in place over the last month, has put this team under immense pressure. To pull this off to the level we have is something we didn’t expect. It is very special.

“I’m proud of our vendors. They have sent their very best yearlings that are ready for this sale. The buyers have seen how we’ve picked it. We’ve had quality horses from Lot 1 to Lot 962.

“Buyers have got a lot to race for, prize-money is great, the race series is a fantastic fillip. They really got behind these horses and it really boosted the prices.

“It’s a huge list of buyers, when you look at the syndicators, you’ve got the individual owners, you’ve got a big, big group of trainers and you’ve got the funds and farms getting in behind these horses. It’s a big deep list and everyone has played their part. I’m speechless.

Bowditch said he was looking forward to the next couple of days comprising Books 2 and 3 and the Summer Racehorse Sale.

“There’s so many outstanding opportunities to come tomorrow and Monday whether it be a yearling or a racehorse.

“So many incredible horses – Group 1 winners and Magic Millions winners – have come out of this sale and not from Book 1 – the astute buyers will be sure to find some special horses.”

Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) once again finished the sale as the leading sire by aggregate with 44 yearlings selling for $23,960,000 at an average of $544,545 having finished the 2020 sale as the leading sire by both aggregate and average. Meanwhile, the now pensioned Arrowfield Stud sire Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice), who had four million dollar lots sell during the week, was the leading sire by average with 17 yearlings selling for $10,160,000 at an average of $597,647. 

Last year’s leading vendor Arrowfield Stud sold all 45 of the yearlings they offered at this year’s sale for $14,655,000 to finish as the leading vendor whilst Emirates Park led the way by average having sold all six of the yearlings they offered for $3,580,000 at an average of $596,667. 

Tony Fung Investments and Phoenix Thoroughbreds were this year’s leading buyers having spent $11,645,000 on 19 lots whilst Ciaron Maher Bloodstock was not far behind having bought 37 yearlings for $11,270,000. 

Domestic buyers made up most of the market wtih Australian-based purchasers spending $176,610,000 which accounted for 91 per cent of turnover. In 2020, Australian-based buyers accounted for 88 per cent of turnover having spent $157,299,500.